Concealed grid ceiling structure and panel therefor providing accessibility



M. D; JAHN GONCEALED GRID CEILING STRUCTURE AND PANEL Jan. 13, 1970 THEREFOR PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY Filed July 12 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Jan. 13, 1970 M. D. JAHN CONCEALED GRID CEILING STRUCTURE AND PANEL THEREFOR PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 12 1967 INVENTOR. A442 7w 0. JAI /N BY I I ATTORNEYS Jan. 13, 1970 M. 0. JAHN 3, 38,908

CONCEALED GRID CEILING STRUCTURE AND PANEL THEREFOR PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 12. 1967 4/ {I 4 INVENTOR. 'l fin J ;TI 4 MAET/A/ JAA/A/ 52 H. 3 If 3 I I BY g g M ATTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 52-496 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ceiling structure with concealed supporting grid, and panel therefor, providing accessibility thereabove and which may be fire-rated, comprising a plurality of runner elements arranged to form a panel-supporting structure with rectangular panel-receiving openings defined by longitudinally extending flange portions of the runner element which are concealed by the panels, the panels being arranged in pairs, each panel being operative to close at least part of a grid opening, the panels being so constructed along their edges that such a pair of panels have edge portions along two panel edges, which underlie the flange portions of the runner elements, and along the other edges adjacent runner elements have edge portions which overlie portions of the runner elements, the juncture between two abutting panels of such a pair (when cooperable to close a single opening) and the edges of at least one panel of a pair being so constructed that such panel may be moved upwardly to provide accessibility thereabove, and if desired the structure can be constructed to comply with the fire-rating requirements.

THE DISCLOSURE The invention is directed to ceiling structures of the suspended type utilizing a panel-supporting grid constructed of runner elements upon which the respective ceiling panels are supported. Such ceiling structures may be generally divided into two classes, the first being the so-called concealed grid type and the other being the so-called exposed grid type, and the present invention falls in the first class in which the runner elements are completely concealed by the respective ceiling panels. In ceilings of this type it is particularly desirable that the structure be so designed that access may be gained above the ceiling panels, preferably 100%, i.e. all panels can be readily detached from the grid structure. Likewise, it is desirable that the structure be of the fire rated type, Which refers to the ability of the ceiling structure to remain intact in the event of fire for at least a specified time, i.e. to support the ceiling panels during such period even though expansion may take place in the respective runner elements as a result of the applied heat, without a rupture or destruction of the ceiling structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a ceiling structure utilizing a novel panel structure in which the panels are so designed that full access thereabove may be readily gained, the panels being disposed in pairs, each pair being operative to close at least part of a grid opening with portions of each closure underlying and thus concealing corresponding portions of the grid structure whereby the entire grid structure is completely concealed in the assembled ceiling, the panels at the same time being so constructed that at least one panel of each pair may be readily removed from their operating position to provide accessibility thereabove. The panels may be so designed,

"ice

in accordance with the invention, that known grid struc tures of various types may be utilized therewith, or 2 novel grid structure, in accordance with the invention may be employed to enable the attaining of a desired fire rating.

The present invention has among its objects the pro duction of such a ceiling structure and panel therefoi which is exceedingly simple, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and requires no unusual or difficult technique in its assembly.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the under side or exposed face of a ceiling structure constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric figure of the corner portions of a ceiling panel constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a similar figure of a cooperable panel to be used with the panel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view through a runner structure and adjacent edge portions of a pair of ceiling panels, taken approximately on the respective lines 44 of FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 8;

FIG. 5 is a similar section through the edge portions of a pair of abutting ceiling panels, taken approximately on the respective lines 55 of FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 8;

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the application of the invention to a different form of grid structure utilizing parallel main runner members and offset cross runners;

FIG. 7 illustrates a modification of the ceiling panels, utilizing a grid structure similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a plan view similar to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, illustrating a grid structure utilizing grid runner elements constructed in accordance with FIGS. 9 and 10, and illustrating the manner in which the ceiling panels are assembled therewith;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 99 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the juncture of the end of four runners assembled as illustrated in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a plan View, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a modification in which each panel of a pair closes a single grid opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the ceiling structure of FIG. 1 comprises a supporting grid structure indicated generally by the numeral 1, comprising runner elements which are disposed to form a grid having square grid openings 2 which are aligned in both coordinate directions and illustrated as being formed by a plurality of main runners 3 extending parallel to one another and connected at spaced points by aligned cross runners 4. The main runners 3 may be formed in suitable lengths, for example, assuming grid openings of approximately 4' x 4', 8' or 12' and where the span is greater than the length of a runner, two or more runners may be fastened together in abutting end to end relation. Various types of known interlocking structures are available for this purpose. The main runners 3 are connected by the uniformly spaced cross runners 4, the ends of which may be suitably interlocked with the associated main runner, numerous different types of interlocking structures being available, and could, for example, be constructed in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9, which will hereinafter be described in detail.

3 As illustrated in FIG. 4, as well as in FIG. 9, runners E this general type may be formed, for example, from a ieet metal strip and suitably rolled or otherwise shaped provide the desired configuration, such runners, as lustrated in FIG. 4, being generally of T-shaped transerse cross section which in the assembled ceiling is in- :rted. The runner, indicated generally by the reference umeral of FIG. 4, is illustrated as comprising a longitdinally extending leg or web portion 6 terminating at 5 lower edge in a cross portion 7, in effect forming ligned flanges 8, and may be provided at its upper end ith suitable reinforcing means, as for example, a tubu- Ll head 9. This type of runner construction is known and 0 need is seen to go into further detail with respect there- Each grid opening defined by the grid structure 1 is iapted to be closed by a pair of ceiling panels 11 and 12, kc panels being similarly oriented in the respective grid penings.

In all of the embodiments of the invention illustrated 1 the drawings, the ceiling panels are all similar to one mother to the extent that the edges of all panels fall into me of three types of construction which are more particlarly illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. It will be apparent lat due to the rectangular configuration of the respective anels whereby a pair of cooperable panels is employed 1 all forms of the invention, each operable to close at :ast a part of a grid opening, in which each pair of panels )rms an approximate square, as specifically discussed in )nnection with each individual embodiment, each panel as two relatively long side edges and two relatively short de or end edges. Consequently the panels of each pair )operate providing a sufficient number of edge portions underlie and conceal the lower faces of runner elements .ipporting the same that all runner elements are con- :aled in the completed ceiling, with at least one panel f such a pair having only one edge underlying a runer element.

The panels are so constructed that in all embodiments f FIGS. 1 to each closure structure formed by a pair f panels has two edges which are adapted to underlie nd conceal the adjacent runner elements, while the reiaining two edges are constructed to merely overlie flange ortions of the adjacent runners. In FIG. 1 the ceiling anels of a pair are so constructed that intersecting edges f the closure member formed by a pair of panels undere and conceal the adjacent runners, while the other two itersecting edges are constructed to merely overlie the )operable flange of the adjacent runners. However, as lbsequently discussed, the panels may be so constructed lat the concealed edges are disposed along opposite sides f a cloure formed by two panels.

FIG. 4 illustrates two of the edge constructions of the anels, employed adjacent the runner element, while FIG. illustrates the construction of the abutting edges of each air of panels forming a closure for a single opening. fonsequently, the cross section of FIG. 5 will represent 1e abutting edges of each pair of such cooperable panels nd FIG. 4 will illustrate the cross section of adjoining anels along a runner element in any of the embodiments f the invention, depending, however, on the direction 1 which the section is viewed. Consequently, all of the anels illustrated will have edges corresponding to those ppearing in FIGS. 4 or 5. Referring to such figures the IP68 of edges, in view of the different combinations inolved in the various panel embodiments, will be merely esignated by the letters A, B and C. In the A type, the anel edge is merely provided with a longitudinally ex- :nding flange 13 which is proportioned to overlie the djacent flange portion 8 of the runner. Panel edge type is likewise provided with a corresponding flange 13 t the upper portion thereof, but in addition is provided ith a flange 14 disposed along its lower portion and havig a length sufficient to co ple e y ll ll ll h QW? face of the runner formed by the flanges 8 and thereby completely conceal such portion of the runner. The C type edge of the panels, in the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10, have a longitudinally extending flange 15, which is illustrated as closely corresponding in proportions to the flange 13, although not necessarily so, and is provided with a similar flange 16 along its lower portion, the upper flanges 15 being illustrated as being slightly shorter than the lower flanges 16 to insure adequate space for stiffening angles 17.

In mounting the panels illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the panel 12 of each pair would be initially mounted by disposing the end edge of type A, above the grid structure and engaging the opposite end of type B with an intermediate portion of the cooperable runner and when the flange 14 is disposed substantially in its operable position, the opposite edge of the runner may be pivoted downwardly to permit the flange 13 thereof to rest upon the flange of the cooperable runner thereat, following which the panel may be slid along the two engaged runners to 'bring the long edge of B type in its final operative position directly underlying the adjacent cooperable runners. When the panel 12 has been so moved into its final position the cooperable panel 11 may be disposed with its A type end edge positioned above the grid and its opposite B type edge engaged with the cooperable runner, and as the flange 14 approaches its final position, the opposite end of the runner may be dropped into its final position, theflanges 13 of the other two edges resting upon the respective flanges 8 and the adjoining edges of such pair disposed in abutting relation. Before mounting the panel 11, reinforcing angles 17 may be disposed in the slots defined by the flanges 15 and 16 of the C type edge, which angles preferably are of a length to dispose their ends in overlying relationship with the adjacent runner flanges 8 and thus provide reinforcement along the entire abutting edges of the panels of a pair. As will be apparent from a reference to FIG. 1, it will be noted that in this construction the exposed portion of both panels of a pair and each pair is identical with any other pair.

The construction illustrated in FIG. 6 utilizes main runners 3 and cross runners 4-, similar to those illustrated in FIG. 1, the main runners extending parallel to one another but with the cross runners between successive pairs of main runners being alternately oflset substantially the width of the lower face of the corresponding runner. The resulting grid structure thus defines grid openings of two different sizes with the distances between the main runners 3 being the same but the distance between cross runners of any horizontal row alternating in horizontal width and openings of like size alternating in both coordinate directions. In this construction all panels are of like construction insofar as their edge configurations are concerned, and the panels of each pair are of identical dimensions, each pair of panels being adapted to be disposed in the smaller grid openings being smaller than the panels of a pair adapted to close the larger grid opening. It will be apparent from a reference to FIG. 6 that the exposed portions of all panels have identical long dimensions, but the combined width of a pair of panels 21 is greater than the combined width of a pair of panels 22 by approximately twice the width of a runner.

In mounting the panels of FIG. 6, all panels are mounted in an identical operation in which the C type edge of each panel is disposed above the grid structure and the opposite B type edge engaged with the cooperable runner, following which the panel may be pivoted about the engaged edge into its final position, taking care to properly orient the panels of each pair,

The embodiment of FIG. 7 utilizes a grid structure of any suitable type which will provide uniform square grid openings and may be identical with the grid structure of FIG. 1, comprising main runners 3 and aligned cross run-. ners 4. This cons rus tm uti es. ident a p n both. s

to edge configuration and dimensions, utilizing the same edge combination as the panels of FIG. 6, in which each panel has a type B long edge and a type C opposite edge, both end edges being of type A. As only one size panel is employed, and the combined length of the aligned end edges of a pair of panels is greater than the length of the long edge thereof, the pairs of panels are disposed with their abutting edges alternating at right angles in both coordinate directions. This arrangement, as will be apparent from FIG. 7, results in the formation of exposed squares, the size of which are equal in length to the width of a runner element and each such exposed opening may be concealed by small square blocks 31 which may be suitably secured by adhesive or other means to the adjacent runner structure, which squares may be utilized to achieve a novel decorative elfect, as for example, by constructing such blocks in a contrasting color or different material from that of the panels 31. As the panels of FIG. 7 are of generally the same edge construction, they are mounted by the utilization of like assembly operations corresponding to those described with respect to the panels of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a novel grid structure for use with panels of the type described, and enables the utilization of identical panels for all grid openings. In this construction the rid structure is formed from a plurality of identical runner elements 4' which generally correspond to the cross runners 4 of the preceding grid structure. The runner elements 4' are of identical construction and identically dimensioned. The runners are assembled with the end of four runners being disposed at a common junction point and the end of each runner abutting the side of the adjacent runner, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 10. In the embodiment illustrated, each runner 4' has a transverse cross section of generally T-shape, corresponding to the runner illustrated in FIG. 4, each end of the web portion 6 of a runner being provided with a longitudinally extending tongue 42 having a horizontally extending slot 43 therein. The web portion '6 of each runner is also provided with a rectangular opening 44 therein suitably disposed to receive the tongue 42 of an adjacent runner as clearly illustrated in FIG. 9, the opening 44 having a height approximately equal to the vertical height of the tongue 42, whereby vertical movement of one runner with respect to the interlocked runner is prevented. Coopera-ble with each tongue 42 is a generally U-shaped retaining clip 45 which extends over the upper edge of one runner, the horizontally extending leg portions 46 of the clip passing through the slot 43 in the tongue of the interlocked runner.

Under normal conditions the runners will be interlocked as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. However, it will be noted that the opening 44 in the web of each runner is of a size to permit longitudinal movement of the tongue 42 in an axial direction away from the adjacent end of the runner containing the opening 44. Consequently, in the event of the application to such a ceiling structure, as for example as the result of fire, and the longitudinal expansion of the runners as a result of such heat, the abutting end of each runner may, under such expansion, correspondingly laterally move the adjacent runner, with which it abuts, to accommodate such expansion. Obviously this can take place with all four runners interlocked at one joint, opposed only by the relatively lesser resistance exerted by the ceiling panels. It will be apparent that upon the application of such heat to a ceiling structure, the expansion will be distributed over the area involved and thus normally accommodated by a relatively large number of such joints, and as the expansion movement may be accommodated at both ends of each runner, considerable expansion would have to take place to completely destroy the supporting action of the grid structure and a correspondingly relatively great length of time would thus be required before rupture of the ceiling would take place. Obviously, in such a construction the panel would be at least fire-resistant.

Panels 41 employed with the grid construction of FIGS.

8-10 of identical edge construction and identically dimensioned, the long dimension of the exposed portion of a closure formed by a pair of panels being equal to the combined dimension of the two short end edges of such pair and the mounting of the panels 41 would take place in the same manner as previously described for the panels 21 or 31, each pair of panels being rotated degrees with respect to the adjacent pairs, whereby the orientation of the pairs alternates in both coordinate directions. Comparing the respective arrangements of FIGS. 1, 6, 7, and 8, it will be noted that the construction of FIG. 1 utilizes two different panels, the exposed portions of which are of identical dimesions but employ different combinations of each type, each pair of panels consisting of one panel of each type.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 all panels employ identical combinations of edge types, but two differently sized panels are employed, the panels of each pair being identical.

The embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 employ identical panels and the panels of both embodiments employ identical combinations of edge types. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 7 the closure formed by a pair of panels is not square and the assembly requires an additional filler block to complete the ceiling, while in the embodiment of FIG. 8 the closure formed by a pair of panels is square and no additional elements are required. The embodiment of FIG. 8 also has the additional advantage that it is of fire-rated construction, making provision of the expansion of the runner members upon the application of heat thereto.

The embodiment of FIG. 11 employs two cooperable panels having different respective combinations of edge structures in which one panel is adapted to be permanently assembled in the ceiling grid at the time the latter is installed, with the other panel providing access above the ceiling structure. Consequently, in this form accessibility is limited to 50% of the ceiling area.

As the edges of the panels, in this embodiment of the invention, involve one or the other of the edge structures illustrated in FIG. 4, any edge of either panel may be readily identified as to construction by reference to the section designation appearing in FIG. 11, identifying the direction of view corresponding to the section of FIG. 4.

In this construction each panel is operative to form a closure for a respective grid opening, which in the illustrated embodiment are of approximately half the relative size of those illustrated in the previous figures, with the exposed portions of the respective panels 51 and 52 being of identical size. In this embodiment the continuously extending parallel main runners are connected by a plurahty of cross runners which are disposed to form parallel rows with the runners of each row being aligned in a straight line which extends at right angles to the main runners. As will be apparent from a reference to the cross sections indicated in FIG. 11, the panel 51 is formed with three edges of type B construction, illustrated in FIG. 4 having an upper peripheral flange 13 adapted to overlie the runner at one side thereof and a lower flange 14 adapted to completelyunderlie the adjacent lower face of the runner, such three sides, in the embodiment illustrated, comprlslng both longitudinally extending edges and one end edge, with the opposite end edge being provided with a type A edge construction. The panel 52, on the other hand, is provided with three edges of type A construction, likewise comprising the two longitudinal edges and one end edge, with the opposite end edge being of type B construction.

As will be illustrated from reference to FIG. 11, the panels are so disposed that alternate rows of the respective types of panels are produced, with the narrow end edges of like type panel-s being in abutting relation. Obviously, in this construction the panels 51 would be incorporated in the ceiling during the assembly of the grid ucture, merely requiring positioning of the panels in Jper position as the associated runner elements are eratively connected to one another. Thus, upon complen of the grid structure and associated panels, a plurality spaced rows of panels will be produced with open spaces tween each row of panels, with only the portions of the iin runners spanning such spaces being exposed as all naining elements have been concealed by the flanges 14 the panels 51 may then be readily placed in position by ;posing it angularly above the grid structure and inter- :king the single type B edge with the adjacent exposed rtion of the main runner following which the panel may rotated into. the plane of the panels 51 with the remainthree peripheral edges of the panel 52. of type A, restupon the adjacent runners.

It will be apparent from the above disclosure that the esent invention provides a ceiling construction in which a space above the ceiling is completely accessible at any cation along the ceiling structure and may be eadily .apted for substantially any of the known types of id structures as well as the particular structure illustted herein. Likewise it is believed apparent that the inrlocking structure of the runners in any of the forms ustrated may be widely varied without effecting the iciency of a ceiling constructed in accordance with the vention.

I claim:

1. A ceiling structure with concealed supporting grid, oviding accessibility thereabove, comprising a plurality interconnected longitudinally and transversely disposed nner elements, each of a generally inverted T-shape in iHSVCISB cross-section, having longitudinally extending .nge portions, said runner elements being arranged to rm a panel-supporting structure having rectangular incl-receiving openings, defined by the flange portions cooperable runner elements, which openings are to closed by respective closure structures, each comprisg a pair of panels, each pair of which is operative to ose a single opening, the panels of a pair being disposed ith an edge of each in adjoining relation, each panel wing at least one edge which is of inverted L-shape in ansverse cross-section to provide an outwardly extendg flange along its upper portion overlying the flange )rtion of the adjacent runner element, and at least 1e and not more than two edges having a kerf therein form a like flange and provided along its lower portion ith an extension forming a second larger flange of a ac to extend completely across the under face of the ljacent runner element, said adjoining edges being conructed to abut at least along their lower portions, at ast one edge of each panel intersecting the last-mentioned lge thereof being of inverted L-shape and at least one inel of each pair having only one edge constructed to iderlie the adjacent runner flange whereby such panel .ay be pivoted upwardly about such edge to provide ac- :ssibility thereabove, the respective edges being so dis- )sed on the respective panels that the closure structure as two of its edge portions adapted to merely overlie 1e flange portions of the adjacent runners, and the ther two of its edge portions adapted to completely nderlie the flange portions of the adjacent runners.

2. A ceiling structure according to claim 1, wherein 1e runner elements of said panel supporting structure efine square openings, aligned in coordinate directions, ad the exposed portions of each pair of ceiling panels arm an exposed square composite panel, one of said anels being provided with two intersecting edges having 1 inverted L-shape in transverse cross-section, and the ther panel being provided with two intersecting edges )rmed with said second flange thereon.

3.A ceiling structure according to claim 1 wherein 1e runner elements of such panel supporting structure efine rectangular openings having aligned edges in one oordinate direction, and alternately oflset edges in the other coordinate direction, whereby the rectangular openings formed fall into two groups, the openings of one group being larger than the openings in the other group, with the openings of the respective groups alternating in both coordinate directions, the opposite edges of each panel intersecting the abutting edge thereof having an inverted L-shape in transverse cross-section, said panels falling into two groups, one comprising panels for the larger openings and the other panels for the smaller openings, the area of the exposed portion of panels of the first group being greater than that of panels of the second group.

4. A ceiling structure according to claim 1, wherein the runner elements of said panel-supporting structure define square openings aligned in coordinate directions, said panels all being of like size and construction, each having opposite edges intersecting the abutting edge thereof of inverted L-shape in transverse cross-section and one edge therebetween formed with said second flange, the exposed portions of each pair of panels forming a rectangle with the long dimensions of the exposed portion being less than the combined width of the exposed portions of a pair of panels, said pairs of panels being disposed with their long dimension alternating in both coordinate directions, and a square filler block disposed in the opening formed at each intersection of four closure structures.

5. A ceiling structure according to claim 1, wherein said panel-supporting structure comprises a'plurality of runner elements of like length forming a grid with rectangular openings of like corresponding dimensions, with the ends of four such runner elements disposed at each corner of the respective openings and the end of each runner element thereat abutting the side of an adjacent runner element, said ceiling panels all being of like size and construction, with the exposed portions forming a square composite panel, each panel having opposite edges intersecting the abutting edge thereof, inverted L-shape in transverse cross-section and one edge therebetween formed with said second flange.

6. A ceiling panel structure for use with a concealed supporting grid, providing accessibility thereabove, said panel structure comprising a pair of cooperable panels which are operative to close a single grid opening, said panels being constructed for disposition with an edge of each in adjoining relation, each panel having at least one edge which is of inverted L-shape in transverse crosssection to provide an outwardly extending flange along its upper portion, and at least one and not more than two edges having a kerf therein to form a like flange, and provided along its lower portion with an extension forming a second flange extending outwardly beyond the first flange, said adjoining edges being constructed to abut at least along their lower portions, at least one edge of each panel intersecting the last-mentioned edge thereof being of inverted L-shape and at least one panel of each pair having only one edge with such a second flange whereby such panel may provide accessibility thereabove, the respective edges being so disposed on the respective panels that the panel structure has two of its edge portions provided with such flange along their upper portions, and the other two of its edge portions provided with such second flanges.

7. A ceiling panel structure according to claim 6, wherein one panel of a pair is provided with two intersecting edges thereof formed with said second flange thereon, and the other panel of such pair is provided with two intersecting edges thereof having an inverted L-shape in transverse cross-section.

8. A ceiling panel structure according to claim 6, wherein said panels are of like configuration, each of the edges intersecting the abutting edge of a panel having 9 10 an inverted L-shape in transverse crosssection, and the FOREIGN PATENTS remaining edge being formed with said second flange 220 213 2/1959 Australia thereon.

References Cited FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 S. D. BURKE III, Assistant Examiner 3,385,021 5/1968 Nys 52 495 U.S-CI.X.R.

3,032,833 5/1962 Stanley 52586 2- 2, 

